Method and apparatus for packaging stockings



Oct. 5, 1965 E. P. FOURNIER 3,209,511

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STOCKINGS Filed Nov. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Oct. 5, 1965 E. P. FOURNIER 3,209,511

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING STOCKINGS Filed NOV. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ewe/r Z F ounw/ffl @3241), wag/9 W United States Patent 3,209,511 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGIWG STOCKINGS Erick P. Fournier, Raeford, N.C., assignor to Burlington Industries, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 240,560 13 Claims. (Cl. 53-3) This invention relates generally to the art of hosiery packaging and more particularly to a novel method of and novel apparatus for placing or mounting pairs of hose, such as mens hose on rigid or flexible inserts or forms made from paper, cardboard, plastic or the like, preparatory to passing the pairs of hose through subsequent processes and/or maintaining the hose in an el0n gated flat state for display purposes.

It is common in the displaying of mens hose, particularly those of the so-called stretch type, to mount the hose on one or more forms or inserts so as to not only provide a neat appearance on display, but to also maintain the originally intended shape of the hose from the time they are manufactured until they are put in use.

In the past the placing of pairs of hose on individual forms has been performed manually and has been relatively difiicult and time consuming. One of the most outstanding ditficulties encountered in the placing of hose on individual forms has been involved in the placing of the second of a pair of hose on a form on which the first hose has been positioned, due to the frictional resistance to relative movement between the hose as the second hose was drawn over the first hose. Frequently, this has caused undue stretching of the second hose and may also result in imperfections in the hose caused by excessive handling during the process. While various attempts have been made to provide methods and apparatus to overcome these difiiculties, they have required numerous hand motions by the operator which has necessarily resulted in less than optimum packaging efliciency. In addition, it is necessary to completely inspect each hose in the stretched state for various defects. Heretofore, such inspections have required additional operations and operator hand motions which add to the cost of the finished and packaged product.

Therefore, the principal object of the present invention relates to a novel means for and method of positioning pairs of hose or socks on individual forms or inserts with a minimum of operator hand motions.

A further object of this invention relates to a novel means for and method of positioning pairs of hose or socks on individual forms or inserts and completely inspecting each of the hose or socks while in a stretched condition during said positioning.

Other objects and the entire scope of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples While indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent as the description herein progresses. Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which 3,209,51 l Patented Oct. 5, 1965 form a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, illustrating my novel apparatus with the outer blades in their down position;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of my novel apparatus with the outer blades operatively associated astride the inner blades;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view partly in section of my novel apparatus in the condition shown in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of my novel apparatus in the condition shown in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a side view looking at the free ends of the blades showing the inner and outer blades in operative association and the trajectory followed by the outer blades;

FIGURE 6 is a front view of the inner blades with a hose insert positioned therebetween and the first of a pair of hose positioned thereon; and

FIGURE 7 is a front view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the outer blades in operative position with the second hose of a pair positioned thereon.

Referring now to the drawings in detail the numeral 1 generally indicates my novel apparatus for positioning pairs of hose or socks on individual forms or inserts. The package forming apparatus 1 includes an insert receiving cavity or envelope formed by a pair of laterally spaced, parallel thin mating stationary inner form guides or inner blades 2. The inner blades 2 which lie in parallel planes are secured at one end to a supporting stationary frame member 3 so as to extend perpendicularly therefrom. Preferably, the frame member 3 extends vertically so that the inner blades extend horizontally over the work table 4. While the blades 2 may comprise individual members provided with an insert stop means located at the bottom edge of and extending transversely between the blades, it is preferred to form the mating blades 2 from a single sheet of metal which is folded or bent to form a generally U-shaped cross section, the base or web 5 forming an insert stop means which transversely joins the parallel blades at their lower edges and extends longitudinally thereof.

Mounted for movement relative to the inner blades 2 are a pair of laterally spaced, thin, mating movable outer form guides or outer blades 7.

The inner blades 2 and the outer blades 7 are substantially the same configuration, each having a rounded free end or toe portion T and a medial outwardly projecting heel portion H thereon which corresponds substantially to the toe portion T and the heel portion H of the relatively thin hosiery insert 20. The peripheries of outer blades 7 are slightly larger than the peripheries of inner blades 2, 2 which are in turn slightly larger than the periphery of hosiery insert 20. The outer blades 7 may be provided with one or more spacer elements 18 located at the lower longitudinal edge of one outer blade and extending laterally toward the other outer blade so as to limit the inward spacing of the outer blades 7, when they are in operative relationship. Each of the blade pairs 2 and 7 are provided with elongated slots S extending longitudinally thereof.

Although the inner and outer blades 2 and 7 have been made of metal, it is contemplated that wood and plastic materials may be employed for making the forms with satisfactory results. In any event, the blades should have a smooth finish to present a minimal coefficient of friction to the hose placed thereover.

The outer blades 7 are secured at one end to a pair of movable arms 8 so that the longitudinal axes of outer blades 7 are parallel to the longitudinal axes of fixed inner blades 2. Thus the outer blades 7 will extend horizontally over the work table 4.

The movable arms 8, which carry at their upper extremities the outer pair of blades 7, are mounted for reciprocal movement relative to the stationary frame member 3, so that the outer blades 7 may move relative to the stationary blades 2. When the frame member 3 is arranged to extend vertically as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the arms 8 are mounted for reciprocal vertical movement, i.e., up and down and for reciprocal lateral movement, i.e., towards and away from each other in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Preferably, the arms are mounted so as to slide up and down against frame member 3, the surfaces 10 of the arms 8 being in sliding engagement with the surface 11 of the frame member 3. Friction between the surfaces 10 of the arms 8 and the surface 11 of frame member 3 may be greatly reduced by providing a thick film of a low viscosity graphite compound lubricant or the like therebetween.

As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the arms 8 are pivotally connected at their lower ends to bracket 12 by pin members 13. The bracket 12 is operably connected to a means for imparting reciprocating longitudinal motion thereto, such as a double acting air cylinder C by means of piston rod P. Recall spring 14 laterally connects the arms 8 and urges them toward one another. Intermediate the arms 8 and mounted on the base member 3 is a lateral biasing means preferably comprising a pair of laterally spaced roller cams 6 adapted to operatively engage the inwardly facing surfaces 15 of arms 8 and thereby effect a desired degree of separation therebetween. It will be noted that the inwardly facing surfaces of arms 8 are provided with generally V-shaped recesses 16 adapted to receive the cams 6 and thus disengage the cams 6 from operative engagement with the arms 8 when the arms are in their uppermost position.

A combination flat spacer and bracket 17 mounted on base member 3 provides a fixed track for the sliding motion of arms 8, as well as a means to prevent their anisalignment. A spacer 19 mounted upon base member 3 and located intermediate the arms 8 insures the desired spacing of arms 8 in their uppermost position since the inwardly facing surfaces 15 of arms 8 are resiliently urged into sliding engagement therewith by recall spring 14.

Thus, according to the foregoing construction, it will be seen that when the blades are in their uppermost position the inner blades 2 will be nested between or straddled by the outer blades 7 and in alignment therewith. The inner blades 2 are spaced just slightly apart from and in parallel relationship with one another. The outer blades 7, when the arms 8 are in their uppermost position are spaced slightly apart from the inner blades 2 and in parallel relationship therewith. The aforementioned spacer element 18 extending transversely between the lower edges of the outer blades 7 will ensure the proper outer blade separation. In addition, the longitudinal slots S in the inner and outer blades will be laterally aligned. Thus with the arms 8 in their uppermost position, it will be seen that the arrangement of the inner and outer blades forms a dual envelope generally indicated in FIGURE 4. Namely, a first envelope defined by the inner blades 2 into which the insert will be positioned to receive the first of a pair of hose and a second envelope, including the first envelope and defined by the outer blades 7 and adapted to receive the second of a pair of hose.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, actuation of the double acting air cylinder by means of a suitable trip switch (not shown) so as to perform its down stroke will cause the outer blades 7 to move laterally away from one another due to engagement of the cams with the inwardly facing surfaces 15 and downwardly out of alignment with the inner blades 2. In the lower most position of arms 8 shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the outer blades 7 will be seen to have separated and to have moved downwardly to permit free access to the inner blades.

In conjunction with the foregoing apparatus a flat mirror 24 is placed behind the pairs of blades 2 and 7 with respect to the operators location and is sulficiently long to reflect the back facing side of each pair of blades in their entirety. By means of the mirror 24 thus located, the operator is able to view rear facing portion of each hose placed on the blades 2 and 7. The position of the mirror is adjustable to suit the individual operator, and is preferably positioned so as to be slightly inclined as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Preferably, a light (not shown) is placed over the work place and in a line perpendicular with the base of the mirror so that the reflectance therefrom may be used as a means of illuminating the back facing side of the hose.

The operation commences with the outer blades separated and in their down position as indicated in FIG- URES 1 and 3. A hosiery form or insert 20 is positioned within the envelope formed by the inner blades 2 and is held in positive position therein by the insert stop means formed by the web 5. With the outer blades 7 in down position, the first of a pair of hose 21 is pulled or drawn over the inner blades 2 and the hosiery insert 20 as shown in FIGURE 6. The hose is thus in the state that it will appear on the hosiery insert. The hose which is in the stretched state, is then inspected by direct and mirror vision for various defects, the mirror 24 reflecting the back facing side of the hose. The double acting air cylinder is then actuated by contact with the aforementioned trip switch to cause the outer 'blades 7 to move upward and towards one another and thus operatively associate themselves over the hose already drawn over the inner blade members 2 and insert 20.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the curvilinear path or trajectory followed by the outer blades 7 in moving from their downmost separated position to their uppermost closed position forming an envelope about the inner blades 2. It will be noted that the outer blades 7 do not assume their operative lateral spacing from the inner blades 2, i.e., their closed position, until they are in operative alignment therewith. Thus, the possibility that the outer blades 7, as they move upwardly into operative association with the hose carrying inner blades 2, might grab or damage the hose carried by the inner blades 2 is eliminated. It should be further noted that the desired lateral spacing of the outer blades from the inner blades 2 is ensured by the aforementioned spacer elements 18. Furthermore, at all times during translation of the outer blades from their down position to their uppermost closed position, the longitudinal axes of the outer blades is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the inner blades.

With outer blades 7 operatively associated with the hose carrying inner blades 2 as shown in FIGURE 7, the second of the pair of hose 22 is drawn over the outer blades 7 and will, of course, be drawn about the previously positioned hose 21, the inner blades 2 and the hosiery insert 20 with practically null friction exerted over the first hose. The second hose is then completely inspected, as was the first, by both direct and mirror vision. The operator next applies a slight normal pressure through the longitudinal slots S in each blade against the hose and the insert and slides the pair of hose and insert longitudinally in the direction of the free ends T of the blades so that the operator may grip the toe portions of the hose and insert to pull or slide them from association with the blades, and thus provide the insert with a pair of inspected hose properly positioned thereon. It should be noted that the spacer elements 18 will prevent the outer blades from exerting pressure over the first hose during the removal of the pair of hose and insert from the blades. A second contact with the trip switch actuates the double acting air cylinder which causes the outer blades 7 to separate and assume their down position leaving the apparatus ready for another packaging cycle.

The present invention will thus be seen to completely and effectively accomplish the objects enumerated hereinabove. By packaging stretch hose according to my novel method and utilizing my novel apparatus, pairs of hose are properly positioned upon inserts and are completely inspected during the positioning with a minimum of operator hand motions and in a most efiicient and expeditious manner.

It is also to be understood that, although several preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described with considerable particularity in the foregoing specification, the invention is not limited to the specific details and forms shown and described, but includes all modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:

1. A method of mounting a pair of hose on a hosiery insert and completely inspecting each hose of said pair during said mounting comprising the steps of supporting one longitudinal edge of a hosiery insert in fixed relation between a first pair of blades corresponding substantially to the shape of said insert and being slightly larger than said insert, the view of the outer side of each blade being unobstructed drawing a first hose of the pair onto said first pair of blades, inspecting by direct vision one side of the thus positioned first hose, inspecting the other side of said first hose by viewing its reflected image in a mirror, positioning a second pair of blades astride said first hose on said first pair of blades and in coinciding relationship with the first pair of blades, said second pair of blades corresponding substantially to the shape of said first pair of blades and being slightly larger than said first pair of blades, drawing the second hose of the pair over the second pair of blades, inspecting by direct vision one side of the thus positioned second hose, inspecting the other side of said second hose by viewing its reflected image in a mirror and withdrawing the pair of hose and the hosiery insert from the blades while leaving the hosiery insert mounting the pair of hose.

2. A method of inspecting pairs of hose as they are positioned on a hosiery insert comprising the steps of drawing a first of a pair of hose over a pair of form guides having a hosiery insert positioned therebetween, inspecting one side of the thus positioned first hose by direct vision and the other side by viewing the reflected image thereof, positioning a second pair of insert guides astride and in operative relation with said first hose, sad first pair of insert guides, and said insert, drawing a second hose of the pair over said second pair of insert guides and inspecting one side of the thus positioned second hose by direct vision and the other side by viewing the reflected image thereof.

3. Apparatus for positioning a pair of hose on an elongated relatively thin hosiery insert comprising in combination a pair of stationary guide forms conforming in shape substantially to the shape of the insert, means to support the longitudinal edge of the hosiery insert between said pair of stationary guide forms whereby a first hose of a pair may be drawn over the pair of stationary guide forms and insert, a pair of movable guide forms conform ing in shape substantially to said pair of stationary guide forms, means to position said movable pair of guide forms in operative relationship astride and spaced from said stationary guide forms and in coinciding parallel relationship therewith whereby a second hose of a pair may be drawn over the movable pair of guide forms, and each of said guide forms having means for facilitating withdrawing the pair of hose and insert from the guide forms whereby the hose are then supported solely by the insert.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for facilitating withdrawing the pair of hose and insert comprises coinciding elongated slots, formed in and extending longitudinally of each guide form.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means to support the longitudinal edge of said hosiery insert comprises a transverse web joining the stationary guide forms at one longitudinal edge and extending longitudinally thereof.

6. An apparatus for positioning a pair of hose on an elongated hosiery insert comprising in combination a pair of closely spaced, parallel stationary guide forms conforming in shape substantially to the shape of the insert, means to support the longitudinal edge of the hosiery insert between said pair of stationary guide forms in coinciding relation therewith whereby a first hose of a pair may be drawn over the pair of stationary forms and insert, a pair of movable guide forms conforming in shape substantially to said pair of stationary guide forms, means to move said movable guide forms toward and away from one another and into and away from operative relation parallel with and astride said stationary guide forms while at all times maintaining the longitudinal axes of said movable guide forms parallel with the longitudinal axes of said stationary guide forms whereby when said movable guide forms are in operative relation with said stationary guide forms a second hose of a pair may be drawn over the movable pair of guide forms, the first hose, the stationary guide forms and the insert simultaneously and means for facilitating withdrawing the pair of hose and the insert from association with the pairs of guide forms whereby the hose are then solely supported by the insert.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pair of stationary guide forms are slightly larger than the insert and said pair of movable guide forms are slightly larger than said stationary guide forms.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for facilitating withdrawing the pair of hose and insert from association with the pairs of guide forms comprises coinciding elongated slots formed inand extending longitudinally of each guide form.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said stationary guide forms are mounted on a stationary frame and said movable guide forms are each mounted on one of a pair of movable arms mounted for longitudinal and transverse movement on said frame.

10. An apparatus for positioning a pair of hose on an elongated relatively thin hosiery insert and completely inspecting each of the hose of said pair during said positioning comprising in combination a pair of stationary guide forms conformng in shape substantially to the shape of the insert, means to support the hosiery insert between said pair of stationary guide forms whereby a first hose of a pair may be drawn over the pair of stationary guide forms and insert, a pair of movable guide forms conforming in shape substantially to said pair of stationary guide forms, means to position said movable pair of guide forms in side by side relationship astride said stationary guide forms and in coinciding parallel relationship therewith whereby a second hose of a pair may be drawn over the movable pair of guide forms, means for providing a reflected image of one side of each hose of the pair as they are respectively positioned on each of the pairs of form guides whereby said hose may be inspected and means for facilitating withdrawing the pair of hose and insert from the guide forms whereby the hose are supported solely by the insert.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for providing a reflected image of one side of each hose of the pair comprises a mirror positioned in back of the pairs of form guides.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for facilitating withdrawing the pair of hose and insert from association with the pairs of guide forms comprises coinciding elongated slots formed in and extending longitudinally of each guide form.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said stationary guide forms are mounted on a stationary frame 'and said movable guide forms are each mounted on one of a pair of movable arms mounted for longitudinal and transverse movement on said frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,870,589 1/59 Berry 53l97 X 2,896,380 7/59 Campbell 53-21 X 2,925,693 2/60 Boone 53-27 X FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Examiner. 

2. A METHOD OF INSPECTING PAIRS OF HOSE AS THEY ARE POSITIONED ON HOSIERY INSERT COMPRISING THE STEPS OF DRAWING A FIRST A PAIR OF HOSE OVER A PAIR OF FORM GUIDES HAVING A HOSIERY INSERT POSITIONED THEREBETWEEN, INSPECTING ONE SIDE OF THE THUS POSITIONED FIRST HOSE BY DIRECT VISION AND THE OTHER SIDE BY VIEWING THE REFLECTED IMAGE THEREOF, POSITIONING A SECOND PAIR OF INSERT GUIDES ASTRIDE AND IN OPERATIVE RELATION WITH SAID FIRST HOSE, SAD FIRST PAIR OF INSERT GUIDES, AND SAID INSERT, DRAWING A SECOND HOSE OF THE PAIR OVER SAID SECOND PAIR OF INSERT GUIDES AND INSPECTING ONE SIDE OF THE THUS POSITIONED SECOND HOSE BY DIRECT VISION AND THE OTHER SIDE BY VIEWING THE REFLECTED IMAGE THEREOF. 